Shame is the road that leads to the narrow gate, the narrow gate leads to eternal life.
I have been reading the prophets lately and this was a very heavy thought that came to me.
Track with me on this:
- Man sins, and so he begins on the broad road to destruction.
- Man is it a crossroads when he sins, he can understand it for what it is and its consequences, or he does not understand it for what it is, and he continues on the broad road to destruction
- Man acknowledges his sin, but that is as far as it goes. It doesn’t bother him at all, or it bothers him very little. He might even conclude that he doesn’t need to concern himself with it because he is better than most, he’s not that bad, thus, he continues on the broad road to destruction. OR, man understands his sin, acknowledges his sin and agrees with the just consequences of his sin, and he has shame over his sin.
- At this point man has, basically, three options. Option 1 – He can suppress the feeling of shame, which is really the conviction of the Holy Spirit; which at some point he will then become hardened to his sin. insensitive to it, callous. Option 2- Man will seek to relieve his own shame in some way; doing good, donating money somewhere, going to church, etc. – which is really just a religion of some sort. Keep in mind, religion is not limited to going to a building and performing rituals. Religion can also be that of your own making, it can be your own personal “do good” religion, or even therapy sessions to attempt to free you from the shame of your past. Whatever it looks like, religion is a means that you feel comfortable with, something that provides relief from the shame and makes you feel like you are in good standing with God. Option 3 – Man in his shame, will cry out to the only One that can forgive his sin and cleanse him of his unrighteousness, Namely Jesus Christ. Any option short of surrender to Jesus as your Savior, Lord, and King will not bring you through the narrow gate that leads to life. We have a shame problem because we have a sin problem, and the only One that can handle the sin problem is Jesus Christ.
DO YOU SEE The HEAVINESS OF THIS REALITY!?!?
Shame is the road that leads to the narrow gate, the narrow gate leads to eternal life.
Once we enter through the narrow gate that leads to life, once we surrender all to Christ, and are cleansed in His Blood, He sets us free!! Free of guilt, free of shame, free from the bondage of sin. Our shame turns to joy. The heavy burden of shame and guilt is lifted off your shoulders. The Son sets you free, and you are free indeed!
Scripture that Inspired this Post
Jeremiah 3:3 Therefore the showers have been withheld, and the spring rain has not come; yet you have the forehead of a whore; you refuse to be ashamed.
Jeremiah 6:15 Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the LORD.
Ezekiel 16:61 Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you take your sisters, both your elder and your younger, and I give them to you as daughters, but not on account of the covenant with you.
Ezekiel 36:32 It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.
Ezra 9:6 saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens
Jeremiah 3:25 Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us. For we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.”
